Renowned from Missing Generation, lyrical mistress Ella Andall is expected to grace the Chutney Soca stage when the show debuts at Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, on Saturday. Interviewed on Friday, chief executive officer of Southex Promotions George Singh said: "Ella Andall will be the first person on my stage," he said. "It is going to be a dynamic performance and symbolic of us being in the Queen's Park Oval...It is going to be a calling....a gathering.
"Ella is very special person...She knows she will be expected to give a special performance. "We have been friends for years. She understands what I am doing. She is part of the grand opening which is expected to last about an hour. Ella will be the first one to hit the stage. "The opening will be spectacular." Singh said there would be maze of activity as preparations got onstream from tomorrow. He thanked his loyal supporters for their support.
Guyanese competitors
Coupled with the Trini competitors, Guyanese entrants Fiona Singh, Terry Gajraj and winner Haresh Singh will be competing in the event billed as One Caribbean One People. Singh said: The standard is high. Guyana is excited about the fact they are involved and can vote." He reiterated his stance to take the show to capital. "It is now in its 17th year," he said. "We see the need to take the Soca Monarch and the chutney monarch across the Caribbean and into Canada and the United States. "We want to promote Caribbean culture to the world. "With the support we are getting from the Government we will be able to achieve a lot more."
Finalists
The finalists to challenge reigning Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai are:
Heeralal Rampartap
Reshma Ramlal
Adesh Samaroo
Ragga (NY)
Arti Butkoon
Omadath Maharaj
Kenneth Supersad
Soca Elvis
Nigel Salickram
KI Persad
Rick Ramoutar
Hunter (Lalchan Babwan)
Sally Sagram
bmobile Wild Card-Sassy
Ramoutar (NY)
Guyanese trio
Fiona Singh, Terry Gajraj
Haresh Singh.
